Mizoram Police Confiscate Weapons and Arrest Three
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Synopsis
On February 12, Mizoram Police seized a significant cache of sophisticated arms and ammunition in Lunglei district, apprehending three individuals involved in the arms trafficking. The operation highlights ongoing issues related to arms smuggling across the border with Bangladesh amidst regional unrest.
Key Takeaways
- Mizoram Police seized advanced arms and ammunition.
- Three individuals, members of the Chakma community, were arrested.
- The operation was conducted in Lunglei district, bordering Bangladesh.
- Intelligence suggests a rise in arms trafficking due to unrest in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
- Previous arms seizures in the region indicate a larger smuggling network.
Aizawl, Feb 12 (NationPress) Mizoram Police successfully confiscated a significant stockpile of advanced arms, ammunition, and various other items from the Lunglei district, which borders the unfenced area of Bangladesh, according to officials.
Three individuals – two from Mizoram and one from the adjacent Tripura – who were transporting the arms and ammunition in a vehicle, have been taken into custody. All accused are members of the Chakma community.
Following a tip-off, police halted a vehicle at Lunglei Bazar in southern Mizoram and seized two AK-47 rifles, five US-made M4 carbines, 20 magazines, 504 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and 4,675 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition.
Additionally, authorities recovered Rs 49,550 in cash, various documents, SIM cards, ATM cards, and five mobile phones. The vehicle laden with arms was reportedly traveling from Thenzawl in central Mizoram, an area known for the smuggling of drugs, arms, and other illegal items from Myanmar.
“We are currently questioning the arms traffickers, but the final destination of the arms remains unclear,” stated an official.
The apprehended individuals have been identified as Roni Chakma, 45, (Tripura), Anirban Chakma, 34, (Lawngtlai district, Mizoram), and Ribeng, 24, (Lunglei district, Mizoram).
Intelligence sources indicated that arms trafficking in Mizoram has surged amid ongoing conflicts in Myanmar and the unrest in Bangladesh that escalated after the fall of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5.
Furthermore, on January 15, Mizoram police confiscated a substantial cache of arms and ammunition in Saithah village in Mamit District, which also shares an unfenced border with Bangladesh. The seized items included six AK-47 rifles, 10,050 cartridges for AK-47 rifles, and 13 magazines.
A police spokesperson stated that these arms were intended for delivery by an insurgent group from Myanmar to a rebel faction in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southeastern Bangladesh.
In connection with this arms seizure, five suspects have been arrested, including a senior leader of the Chin National Front (CNF), an insurgent organization from Myanmar.
The official noted that the confiscated arms were meant for trade between the CNF and the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF-P), another active insurgent group in the CHT.
